oneupmanship

one-upping, oneupness, the art of one-upping, one-uppance, going one better, keeping a jump ahead, getting the jump on, trying to get the best of, competitiveness, competition, competitive skill, rivalry, outdoing someone, quest for superiority, keeping up with the Joneses, vying for top honors. Stephen Potter, who popularized "oneupmanship" with his book One-Upmanship, used "one-upping" and "oneupness" in the same book. With use, the shorter and punchier "one-upping" quickly begins to sound "right": "Keeping score of old scores and scars, getting even and one-upping, always makes you less than you are" (Malcolm Forbes).